Eraser



J. S. LOEWUS Nov. 16, 1937.

ERASER Filed May 25, 1955 Patented Nov. 16, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE 18 Claims.

This invention relates to erasers and to improvements therein-and moreparticularly to that class of eraser designated by the term soft erasermade of soft rubber or other suitable erasing material (e. g. art gum,soap, sponge, soft rubber, etc.) and used principallyfor the removal ofpencil marks, as well as for cleaning purposes. It also relates to theso-'called pencil or ink eraser, constructed of harder material andhaving similar uses.

Due to the nature of their material and construction soft erasers arenot only unsatisfactory from the standpoint of economy and ease ofhandling for the purposes for which they are intended, but the extent oftheir use is automatically limited. They possess no cohesion or bodywhen in use, resulting in crumbling and frequently in the brealn'ng offof large pieces. Due to exposure of their entire surface to the airthese erasers quickly dry out, become brittle and accordingly useless.

The harder pencil or ink erasers, though not crumbling as the softererasers do, nevertheless are equally subject to theV drying out process.They are furthermore objectionably heavy when used in the form of caperasers on pencils. Also, erasing by means of them frequently involvessmearing. Y

It is accordingly an object of this invention to obviate this lack ofbody or cohesion in soft erasers by providing the same with areinforcement that will act to hold the erasing material compactlytogether. This will do away with the common phenomenon of crumbling andby this provision of additional strength will render them useful forpurposes heretofore impossible. Chief among these new uses would be thatof erasers to capV penci1s,providing for the first time a pencil caperaser which will retain the body or cohesiveness, characteristic ofthoser in use at present, together with the additional and heretoforeabsent qualities of lightness in weight, avoidance of smearing, andfacility of operation.

'Ihis object may be accomplished in several ways: by providing areinforcement as a sheath exteriorly applied .to the erasing material,either integrally or separately associated therewith,

said sheath to be formed of rubber or other eras- (Cl. 1Z0-36) oferasing material strands of silk or cotton thread or other fibrous orbinding substance; or by any suitable combination of the above means.

It is also an object of this invention to protect z the erasing materialfrom drying out. This may 5 be accomplished by providing the eraser withanA external covering or sheath such as indicated, above which -may wearaway withV the erasing material in the use thereof or be manuallyremoved. l 10l It is furthermore an object of this invention to providein erasers such as above contemplated a readily identifyingcharacteristic of great commercial value by having the body of theeraser and its reinforcement, either internal or external, 15 ofdiffering colors and different color arrangements. Aside from providinga means for identifying this type of eraser, from a commercialviewpoint, the same will thus be rendered decidedly novel andattractive.

It is evident that the means employed to accomplish any one object mayat the same time, achieve one or more of the others.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent as thedescription thereof given 254 hereunder proceeds, with reference to theaccompanying drawing, whereinzl Fig. 1 is a perspective view ,of oneform of an eraser.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof 30 taken on line 2--2,Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view thereof taken on line 3 3, Fig. 1.f

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are views similar to that of l Fig. 3, showingmodified forms of reinforcement 35 disposed in the body Vof the erasingmaterial.

Fig. 7 is a modified forml of a pencil eraser, shown in section andapplied tothe end of a pencil.

Fig. 8 is a modified form of an eraser shown in 40` perspective, withthe application of a sheath reinforcement.

Fig. 9 is a further modified form of an eraser shown in perspective,with the application of a modified form olf-sheath reinforcement.

Fig. 10 illustrates a stillfurther modication Y of eraser and sheathreinforcement construction.

Fig. 11 is an elevational View partly in section of another modifiedVform of eraser and selflocking reinforcement sheath.

Fig. 12 is an elevational View of a still further modied constructionshowing an adjustable sheath. i

The eraser Hl shown in Fig. 1, 1s of conventional shape and is made of asoft erasing material, of 65T the type well known in the art such as artgum, soap, sponge or rubber eraser. As most soft erasers are substanceshaving a chemical composition, in some cases with a percentage of pararubber as one of the ingredients thereof, the expression erasingmaterial will be used throughout the following specification and claimsto designate any such erasing substance that can be utilized in thepresent invention as the body of the eraser, having the characteristicsas pointed out above in the statement of the invention. As pointed outtherein, these erasers of soft erasing material have substantially noinherent cohesive strength or body, which, consequently, upon the usethereof in erasing quickly crumble, crack and break apart.

Accordingly in the form of eraser shown in Fig. 1, the body II of theeraser is provided with a thin external coating I2 of an erasingmaterial of a harder or tougher character somewhat of the type used inthe conventional rubber eraser. 'Ihis coating I2 of harder erasingmaterial is preferably bonded or otherwise securely united to the bodyof soft erasing material in the manner well known in the art. In view ofthis construction, it is apparent, that in the use of this eraser, thecoating I2 will act to reinforce the body II of the eraser to preventthe crumbling and the breaking off of pieces therefrom. Inasmuch as thecoating I2 possesses erasing characteristics, it is obvious that thesame will not interfere with the desirable erasing properties of thebody II of soft erasing material. As the eraser I0 is used, the coatingI2 and body II will simultaneously wear down, there being always presentthe outer coating I2, no matter what the ultimate size of the eraser, toreinforce the same.

In the modified construction shown in Fig. l there is provided withinthe body I I of soft erasing material, a reinforcement I3 whichcomprises a thin corrugated sheet of erasing material of the samecharacteristics as the coating of hard or tough erasing'material I2, andis arranged centrally and longitudinally of the eraser. The thincorrugated sheet of erasing material I3 in conjunction with the outercoating I2, cooperates to produce a highly eicient eraser which willwear down evenly in use without the objectionable crumbling and breakingoff of pieces therefrom.

In some cases it may be desirable to utilize with the body II of theeraser only an internal reinforcement. Such a construction is shown inFig. 5, wherein there is provided transversely and longitudinally of thebody II of the eraser a corrugated or latticed thin sheet I4 of hard ortough erasing material Ill identical in all respects with the coating I2and reinforcement I3 as described above, said corrugations or latticingextending practically across the entire width of the eraser andterminating at points spaced slightly inwardly of the top and bottomwalls of the eraser as clearly shown. I desire it to be understood thatthe internal reinforcement I3 or IDI may assume any desired shape andmay be located within the body II of erasing material in any desiredmanner. For example, the internal reinforcement I3 or I4 may be made toassume any determined configuration, such as a name, word or object, inany desired color or color combination which will possess the addedfeature of providing an excellent advertising medium within the body ofthe eraser, the advantages of such being readily apparent.

The sectional. modification shown in Fig. 6 relates to an entirelydifferent form of internal reinforcement for soft erasers. In thisconstructional form there is provided in the body of the eraser shortlengths or strands of thread or silk or any desired brous substance I5.These strands of thread, silk or any desired brous substance arepreferably made very short (approximately 1/8 inch), and are profuselyintermingled throughout the body II of the eraser, to function as abinding agent for the body of soft erasing material. In the use of aneraser of this character, the strands will act to prevent the crumblingand cracking of the soft body of erasing material and the consequentialbreaking oif of large pieces. As the eraser is worn down by the usethereof, the strands will wear off with the erasing material, that isrubbed off, and in view of the very small length of these strands thesame will not be objectionable. In order to prevent the drying out ofthe body of soft erasing material II internally reinforced with thestrands, ilocks or fibers I5, the. same may be encased within anexternal sheath of harder erasing material such as I2, as describedabove with reference to the form of erasers shown in Figs. l, 2, 3, andfi.

While each of the above described modifications relate to erasers thatare of desk size, it is apparent that the invention may also be appliedto erasers placed on the ends of pencils. Hitherto it has not beenpractical to use soft erasing material in pencil erasers because of thedisadvantages inherent in the use thereof as indicated above.

In Fig. 7, there is shown one common form of pencil eraser that isslipped over the end of a pencil. In this case this form comprises atriangular, rectangular, conical or other shaped. body of soft erasingmaterial 20 that is provided with a coating 2I, of the same character asthe coating I2 described above, and that terminates at the bottom of theeraser in a cylindrical sleeve 22 adapted for placement over the end ofpencil 23.

If desired the body of erasing material 2i) may be reinforced by any oneof the methods not only described above but also those to be describedhereinafter, and may be made in any desired shape or size for use on theends of pencils.

In some cases it may be desired that the sheath or coating 2| be madeseparate and the body 2t of soft erasing material forced thereinto to beretained thereby under compression, it being well known in the rubberart that rubber will last longer, not losing its life or resiliency,when placed under an initial compression.

In each of the above modied forms of erasers with the exception of thatof Fig. 6, the reinforcement of harder erasing material whether internalor external is worn olf along with the body of softer erasing materialas the eraser is used. This characteristic is also present in the strandreinforcement I5 shown in the modification of Fig. 6. In either case thereinforcement is simultaneously removed with the body of erasingmaterial.

ByA forming the reinforcement of harder erasing material of a differentcolor from that of the body of the soft erasing material either whenplaced interiorly or exteriorly thereof, it is possible to thus providean eraser of distinctive character, which by virtue of the contrast incolor will lend itself as a means for identication, that is commerciallyvaluable from the viewpoint of advertising. Erasers of this characterbecause of the diiferent colors therein will have increased appeal dueto their novel and attractive form.

' The strand reinforcement in the form shown in Fig. 6 may bevariegatedin color, so that when seen against the background of the bodyof erasing material which should be of a suitable color will present amost novel form of eraser.

Referring to Figs. 8, 9, and 10 there is shown an altogether differentform of reinforcement wherein the body of soft erasing material isprovided with a separable reinforcement in the form of a sheath.

In Fig. 8 there is shown a block of soft erasing material 30, providedwith a sheath 3| that may be made of paper, metal foil, cellulosecomposition or any other suitable material, which may be applied to theblock of soft erasing material by being glued, cemented, vulcanized, orotherwise bon-ded thereto, and in some cases the cellulose composition(nitrate, acetate, etc.) may be applied by rolling, pressing, sprayingor dipping process. The sheath 3| tightly embraces the body of softerasing material 30, and as shown is scored as at 32 along a spiralwhereby as the erasing material is worn olf in use, portions of thesheath 3| may be uncovered by an unwinding process in the manner wellknown. As only a small portion of exposed erasing material is necessaryat any one time, the removal of one convolution of the scored sheath issufficient. In the unwinding of the convolutions, each one may be tornor cut off from the remainder of the sheath. If desired cross scoringmay be provided in the sheath to obviate the necessity of tearing orcutting.

It may also be desirable to form the sheath 3| of a spirally woundstrip, the convolutions of which may be held together by `adhesive orany other suitable substance.

In Fig. 9, there is shown a cylindrical block of soft erasing material35 that is provided with an external sheath 36 that snugly ts thereover.In this case the cylindrical sheath may be also made of paper, metal,metal foil, cellulose composition or any other suitable material,although paper is preferred in view of its cheapness, ease ofmanufacture, strength and rigidity. This sheath 36 is capable oflongitudinal sli-ding movement relative to the body of the eraser. Henceupon the eraser being worn down, all that is necessary is to pull thesheath down to uncover any desired length of exposed erasing material.That portion of the sheath 36 that projects beyond the bottom of theeraser may be readily torn or cut off.

In Fig. 10, the sheath 38 surrounding the block of soft erasing material39 is of the same character as the sheaths shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Inthis case, however, the sheath 38 tightly encloses the body of theeraser and is cut or scored along parallel lines 4U to divide the sheathinto individual ring sections 4|, whereby portions of the eraser may besuccessively exposed as the eraser is worn down, by merely removing onering section at a time.

While the sheaths 3| and 38 shown in Figs. 8 and 10, respectively, areseparable with respect to the body of the eraser, said sheaths may beprovided on their inner surfaces with a form of adhesive that will causethe same to adhere to the eraser which at the same time will not preventthe peeling off therefrom of the sheath or portions thereof.

The modification of Fig. 11 is somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 9.The body of erasing material 50 is cylindrical in form and is adapted tohave snugly fitted thereover a sheath 5| of a stiif material such ascardboard, metal or any other suitable material. Arranged around thewall of the sheath 5| are inwardly directed projections 52 struck outfrom the wall of the sheath. Preferably these projections 52 arearranged on a helix around the wall of the sheath, so that each will beat a different level. As the erasing material 50 is worn off in use thesame is pushed upwardly and-outwardly of the sheath, viewing Fig. 11,the distance of one projection so that the same will engage the bottomof the eraser 50 to prevent the same being pushed back into the sheath5|, in the manner clearly shown.

In Fig. 12 the body of erasing material 55 is provided with a helicalprojection 56 that is adapted to cooperate with a helical groove 51formed in the sheath 58. As the eraser is worn in use, a further exposedportion thereof may be presented by merely screwing the eraser out ofits sheath in the manner readily apparent.

It is well known that erasers of the character of erasing material thatare soft and crumbly in use will after exposure toy the atmosphereundergo a deteriorating or drying out process that renders the samebrittle and unsuitable for erasing purposes. This is also true oferasers made of erasing material having a harder structure such as theconventional pencil eraser. I have accordingly found that the enclosingof erasing material in sheaths of the type as above described will actto prevent this drying out process thus resulting in the erasingmaterial retaining its original erasing properties throughout Vtheentire life thereof. A clear' cellulose sheath, even though closelyunited to the rubber eraser transmits violet rays of light, whichdeteriorate the rubber, this being an additional reason for coloredsheaths.

It is to be understood that while the constructions disclosed hereinshow preferred forms of my invention, the same may be embodied invarious other forms and that the disclosure herein is illustrative andnot restrictive.

sin() 1. An eraser of the character described comprising a body oferasing materiaLand a thin sheath of erasing material surrounding thebody of erasing material and united therewith, said sheath acting toreinforce and to prevent the drying out of said erasing material, theconstruction and relationship between said body of erasing material andsheath being such that the normal erasing properties of said eraserresides in said body of erasing material.

2. An eraser of the character described comprising a body of frangibleerasing material, and a thin sheath of non-frangible erasing materialunited to said body to reinforce the same against crumbling or breakingand adapted to prevent the same from drying out.

3. An eraser comprising a body of erasing material, and a reinforcingmedium of erasing material provided within said body of erasing materialto reinforce the same against crumbling and breaking, and arrangedtherein in a predetermined pattern to represent a selected character orobject adapted to wear down simultaneously with said body of erasingmaterial.

4. An eraser comprising a body of frangible erasing material, and areinforcing medium disposed throughout the body thereof in apredetermined pattern to represent a selected character or object and ofa non-frangible character adapted to reinforce the body of the eraseragainst crumbling and breaking, and to wear down simultaneously withsaid body of erasing material.

5. An eraser of the character described comprising a body of softerasing material, and a sheath formed of harder erasing materialsurrounding the body of erasing material to reinforce the same againstcrumbling or breaking, and acting to retain said body of erasingmaterial under compression.

6. An eraser of the character described comprising a body ofnon-metallic erasing material, and a sheath of erasing materialsurrounding the body of erasing material to reinforce the same againstcrumbling or breaking, and acting to retain said body of erasingmaterial under compression.

7. An eraser of the character described comprising a body ofnon-metallic erasing material, and a sheath of erasing materialsurrounding the body to reinforce the same against crumbling orbreaking, the construction and relationship between said body of erasingmaterial and sheath being such that the normal erasing properties ofsaid eraser resides in said body of erasing material.

8. An eraser of the character described comprising a body of erasingmaterial, a sheath of erasing material surrounding the body of erasingmaterial to reinforce the same against crumbling or breaking, and aflexible reinforcing medium provided wholly within said body of erasingmaterial.

9. An eraser of the character described comprising a body of erasingmaterial, and a sheath surrounding the body of erasing material toprevent the drying out of the same and adapted to wear downsimultaneously with said body of erasing material, the construction andrelationship between said body of erasing material and sheath being suchthat the normal erasing properties of said eraser resides in said bodyof erasing material.

10. An eraser of the character described comprising a body of erasingmaterial having short strands or fibers profusely interspersedthroughout the body thereof.

11. An eraser of the character described comprising a body of frangibleerasing material, a reinforcing medium Within said body, and a sheathsurrounding said body to reinforce the same against crumbling orbreaking.

12. An eraser of the character described comprising a body of frangibleerasing material reinforced with short strands or fibers profuselyinterspersed throughout the body thereof, and a thin sheath ofnon-frangible erasing material surrounding said body to reinforce thesame against crumbling or breaking.

13. An eraser of the character described comprising a body of frangibleerasing material, a non-frangible flexible erasing material providedwithin said body for reinforcing the same, and a sheath of non-frangibleerasing material surrounding said body to reinforce the same againstcrumbling or breaking.

14. An eraser of the character described comprising a body of erasingmaterial, a sheath of erasing material surrounding the body of erasingmaterial to reinforce the same against crumbling or breaking, and anadditional reinforcing medium of erasing material provided within saidbody of erasing material and arranged therein in a predetermined patternto represent a selected character or object adapted to wear downsimultaneously with said body of erasing material.

l5. A cap eraser comprising a body of frangible erasing material, andflexible reinforcing means associated interiorly therewith to preventcrumbling and breaking.

16. A cap eraser comprising a body of frangible non-metallic erasingmaterial and a flemble reinforcement of a non-frangible erasing materialincorporated therewith to prevent crumbling and breaking thereof.

17. A cap eraser comprising a body of frangible non-metallic erasingmaterial, and a flexible sheath of a non-frangible erasing material,surrounding the same to prevent crumbling and breaking thereof, saidbody and sheath being of different degrees of hardness.

18. In the cap eraser as specified in claim 17, said sheath having apocket integrally formed therewith for mounting the eraser on the end ofa pencil.

JULIAN S. LOEWUS.

